New life for Port Kennedy golf course

14/7/00
The golf course at Port Kennedy is to get a new lease of life under an agreement with a group headed by golf professional Ian Baker-Finch.
Planning Minister Graham Kierath announced today that the State Government had entered into agreement with developers Port Kennedy Resorts to enable The Golf Club group to develop and promote the course.
Mr Kierath said the agreement would involve The Golf Club group taking a sub-lease from Port Kennedy Resorts and in return providing clubhouse and parking facilities on the course.
"This is the best option to ensure that the course, which was designed by Mr Baker-Finch, is able to develop into a world-class facility," the Minister said.
"If the Port Kennedy project is going to become the tourist destination that is intended, then the development and promotion of the golf course is paramount."
The Golf Club group hopes to start work at the Port Kennedy course within three months and have the facilities completed by August next year, with interim facilities in place by November this year.
Mr Kierath said the respected golfing magazine Golfing Australia had already ranked the Port Kennedy course among its top 25 courses in the country.
"It was the only course on the list which did not have a club house," he said.
"You would have to expect it would be considered even more favourably once these facilities are in place.
"When the clubhouse and other facilities are complete it will make the course even more attractive to local and international visitors."
Along with the Port Kennedy course, The Golf Club group is currently in the final planning stages of a course on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula and is negotiating for courses on the Gold Coast and in northern New South Wales.
The Golf Club group directors include Mr Baker-Finch and the founder of the Australian Masters Tournament, Mr David Inglis.
"Certainly it is encouraging to have golfing professionals of the calibre of Mr Baker-Finch and Mr Inglis involved with the project," Mr Kierath said.
"I am confident that their influence will ensure that Port Kennedy will develop into a world class facility which attracts visitors to the area."
Media contact: Zac Donovan (08) 9213 6400